John Benjamins Publishing Company
Chapter 3. Data analysis and sampling
Abstract
This chapter addresses the construct of second-language (L2) proficiency as it pertains to L2 data analysis. In L2 studies, a common practice is to group participants into proficiency categories (i.e., groups such as ‘intermediate’ or ‘advanced’; a practice known as dichotomization). Nevertheless, I argue that, for theoretical and empirical reasons, proficiency should be analyzed as a true continuous variable. Theoretically, we conceptualize adult L2 acquisition as a continuous process driven by basic learning mechanisms that may be constrained by underlying principles. Empirically, I present evidence illustrating how creating categorical groups by carving up a continuous dependent measure is statistically inappropriate. Finally, I address the importance of sampling practices and why it is preferable to include participants from a broad proficiency spectrum.
Abstract
This chapter addresses the construct of second-language (L2) proficiency as it pertains to L2 data analysis. In L2 studies, a common practice is to group participants into proficiency categories (i.e., groups such as ‘intermediate’ or ‘advanced’; a practice known as dichotomization). Nevertheless, I argue that, for theoretical and empirical reasons, proficiency should be analyzed as a true continuous variable. Theoretically, we conceptualize adult L2 acquisition as a continuous process driven by basic learning mechanisms that may be constrained by underlying principles. Empirically, I present evidence illustrating how creating categorical groups by carving up a continuous dependent measure is statistically inappropriate. Finally, I address the importance of sampling practices and why it is preferable to include participants from a broad proficiency spectrum.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents vii
- Acknowledgments ix
- Introduction 1
- Chapter 1. Data collection and analysis in developmental L2 pragmatics research 7
- Chapter 2. Data collection in the research on the effectiveness of corrective feedback 33
- Chapter 3. Data analysis and sampling 63
- Chapter 4. Novel sounds 89
- Chapter 5. Operationalizing variables 125
- Chapter 6. The potential of publicly shared longitudinal learner corpora in SLA research 149
- Chapter 7. Concept-oriented analysis 171
- Chapter 8. Naturalistic data in L2 pragmatics research 197
- Conclusion 219
- Index 229
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents vii
- Acknowledgments ix
- Introduction 1
- Chapter 1. Data collection and analysis in developmental L2 pragmatics research 7
- Chapter 2. Data collection in the research on the effectiveness of corrective feedback 33
- Chapter 3. Data analysis and sampling 63
- Chapter 4. Novel sounds 89
- Chapter 5. Operationalizing variables 125
- Chapter 6. The potential of publicly shared longitudinal learner corpora in SLA research 149
- Chapter 7. Concept-oriented analysis 171
- Chapter 8. Naturalistic data in L2 pragmatics research 197
- Conclusion 219
- Index 229
